Expectations, Kindness, Meditation, Time, Taking Care

It's That Time of Year Again

Paula Brown | 3 December 2021

It’s that time of year again, the one where traditionally, you started shopping immediately, wrapped up the school year, the varsity year, the work year, renovations, projects and book club events for the year.  Just that in itself is exhausting.  

My invitation to you is to remind yourself that we’re not living in normal times – we’re living in the new AC – 'after Covid' times – nothing is “normal” anymore. If it's not dawned on you yet, then here’s the good news – if nothing’s normal – then you have a blank canvas – to write your own story, create your own festive season with a twist, paint your dream December and make it happen. If that sounds like too much.. then maybe just accept that you needn’t do everything the way it was BC (yup you guessed it – 'Before Covid').

How about finding a kinder, more cost-effective, more intimate, more generous, more rewarding (for all) and caring way to celebrate this year?  Start by placing yourself at the centre.  Why wait till 26 December to crash and start your recovery?  Whether you’re working through the holiday season, going away (hmmm, the less said the better) or staying home, it’s likely that you play a central role in your family’s life.  In the Equinox Journey language, this means – best you take care of yourself first.  Yup – you know it, but I’ll remind you, you can’t pour from an empty cup.  And yes, of course, it’s not that easy. Ha!  You may be one of those who ‘can’t find the time’, tries to fit 48 hours into 24, thinks you deserve a cape, maybe even a broom (the flying kind). What you probably deserve is to be locked away in a room with soft music playing, candles lit, a bath running and a big helping of peace of mind, knowing you’ve got the next 3 hours to yourself.  

If this still doesn’t work for you – join me next week, Friday, 10 December at 12h00 as I share with you how I carved 10 days of silence and meditation into my busy life. You needn’t do the same, but you may find it helpful if finding time is one of your biggest challenges.

Till then, remember to pause, breathe, and know that this is a new world.  You’re not superwoman or superman and it’s only you who expects that of you.  

Be kind.

Be wise.

Take care of yourself.

Author: Paula Brown